Posted by Samuel on Sat 09th Aug, 2025 - tori.ng
Frustrated by being repeatedly relegated to background roles, Afegbai emphasised her professional status to remind them of her capabilities.
Lilian Afegbai, the popular Nigerian actress, has shared her experiences in the film industry, highlighting the challenges she encountered in securing significant roles.
In an interview on PulseNG, she said despite her acting skills, she was often cast as an extra by industry friends who overlooked her talent.
Frustrated by being repeatedly relegated to background roles, Afegbai emphasised her professional status to remind them of her capabilities.
She said: “People that I know, friends in the production industry, casting me as an extra and not an actor.
“It’s different when you play a cameo in the film, but when it becomes a norm that your friends casting for a big production forget that you are an actor and when you remind them, they say you should come and play extra. They were comfortable with me playing extra.”
However, Afegbai’s career saw a significant breakthrough with her role as Idia in the Netflix crime thriller “To Kill a Monkey.”
Under the direction of Kemi Adetiba, she showcased her range and strength as an actress, earning praise from viewers.
The series, which explores themes of cybercrime, betrayal, and survival, features a talented ensemble cast, including Stella Damasus, Bucci Franklin, and Chidi Mokeme.